Vertical pouch

ABSTRACT

A vertical pouch includes a heating element to react with a reaction liquid and cause an exothermic reaction. A first pack is configured to form a space for containing the heating element between a first sheet and a second sheet. A second pack is configured to form a space for containing the heating element between a third sheet and a fourth sheet. A content container is comprised of the second sheet of the first pack, the third sheet of the second pack, and a bottom connecting lower portions of the second and third sheets and folded upward and downward. A reaction liquid passage is configured to make the first pack communicate with the second pack.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vertical pouch.

BACKGROUND

To conveniently heat a content without any separate cookware in field ormilitary training, a pouch of a disposable package has been released inthe market. A conventional pouch includes an edible content, a contentcontainer, a heating element for heating the content, and a reactionliquid inlet for injecting a reaction liquid of reacting with theheating element from the exterior.

The conventional pouch is inconvenient as follows. A user has tovertically hold the pouch to prevent the reaction liquid from flowingout while the reaction liquid is injected into the reaction liquid inletand makes the heating element generate heat. The user cannot lay thepouch down, but has to hold the pouch with one hand while eating thecontent with the other hand.

Further, it is uncomfortable for a user to continuously hold the pouchsince heat from exothermic reaction is transferred to the user's handwhile the user holds the pouch.

In addition, if the heating elements are placed at either side of thecontent container in the middle of the pouch, it is burdensome for auser to inject the reaction liquid into both sides.

Generally, left and right heating element containers are arranged tosurround the content container in the middle, and the content containerin the middle is heated by heat generated by the reaction of the heatingelements. In this case, problems of heat loss and inconvenience arisesince a considerable amount of heat leaks through the outer sheets ofthe heating element containers.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention is to provide a vertical pouch which can bestably stood up.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a vertical pouch which canminimize heat transferred to a user's body or the outside.

Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a vertical pouch inwhich heating elements at either side are all reacted by injecting areaction liquid into a heating element container at one side.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achievedby providing a vertical pouch including: a heating element to react witha reaction liquid and cause an exothermic reaction; a first packconfigured to form a space for containing the heating element between afirst sheet and a second sheet; a second pack configured to form a spacefor containing the heating element between a third sheet and a fourthsheet; a content container comprising the second sheet of the firstpack, the third sheet of the second pack, and a bottom connecting lowerportions of the second and third sheets and folded upward and downward;and a reaction liquid passage configured to make the first packcommunicate with the second pack.

The reaction liquid passage may be formed by penetrating an adheredportion where the second sheet and the third sheet are adhered, or bybending and adhering edge portions of the second and third sheets fromedges of the first and fourth sheets.

The reaction liquid passage may be formed higher than a fold when thebottom is folded upward.

The first sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet and the fourth sheetmay include a plurality of sheet members, an air-gap may be formedbetween the sheet members, and at least one of the sheet members mayinclude an insulating sheet member.

At least one of the first sheet and the fourth sheet further may includea reaction liquid inlet through which a reaction liquid can be injected,and the first pack and the second pack may further include a reactionliquid pack to accommodate a reaction liquid.

According to the vertical pouch configured as described above has atleast one of the following effects.

First, the pouch is minimized in volume while being kept, and is stablystood while being used so that a user can easily eat a content.

Second, it is possible to minimize heat transferred to a user's body orthe outside when the exothermic reaction occurs.

Third, the heating elements at both sides are all reacted by injectingthe reaction liquid into the heating element container at only one side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical pouch according a firstembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the vertical pouch according to the firstembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the vertical pouch according tothe first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vertical pouch according to a secondembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the vertical pouch according tothe second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a vertical pouch according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vertical pouch according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pouch 100 according a first embodimentof the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pouch 100according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is anenlarged sectional view of a reaction liquid passage 170 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspectiveview of a pouch 200 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a reaction liquidpassage 270 in the pouch 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing that a first sheet310 and a fourth sheet 340 of a pouch 300 include air-gaps 318 and 348according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 isa perspective view of a pouch 400 with a reaction liquid pack 480according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical pouch 100 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention includes a first pack 101, a secondpack 102, and a content container 160 formed between the first pack 101and the second pack 102.

In the first pack 101, a first sheet 110 and a second sheet 120 areadhered to each other only at its ending part so as to form a space inthe middle of the first sheet 100 and the second sheet 120. A heatingelement 10 is accommodated in the middle space formed by adhering thefirst sheet 110 and the second sheet 120.

The heating element 10 may include a liquid or solid material thatreacts with a reaction liquid and causes an exothermic reaction.Preferably, the sold material may be used to prevent the heating element10 from leaking out. The solid heating element 10 may include one ormore among calcium oxide (CaO), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), magnesiumchloride (MgCl₂), iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al).

The adhering process may be achieved by a method of piling up the firstsheet 110, the heating element 10 and the second sheet 120 in sequenceand adhering four edges thereof, or a method of first adhering the edgesof the first sheet 110 and the second sheet 120 in the form of ‘U’except the upper edge and then sealing up the upper edge after insertingthe heating element 10 through the upper edge.

The second pack 102 may be formed by adhering edges of a third sheet 130and a fourth sheet 140, and accommodates the heating element 10 in aspace formed by adhering the third sheet 130 and the fourth sheet 140like the first pack 101. Such adhesion between the sheets 110, 120, 130and 140 may be achieved by heat sealing, high frequency sealing or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sheet 110 forming an outer surface of thepouch 100 includes a plurality of sheet members 112, 114 and 116. Likethe first sheet 110, the fourth sheet 140 also includes a plurality ofsheet members 142, 144 and 146.

When heat is generated inside the pouch 100, heat is transferred to auser's body being in contact with the pouch 100 or to the outside. Tominimize the transfer of the heat, the first sheet 110 and the fourthsheet 140 include a plurality of layers. As the first sheet 110 and thefourth sheet 140 are formed by the plurality of layers, it is alsopossible to protect the heating element 10 or the content from externalshock. If a reaction liquid bag is enveloped together with the heatingelement 10, the plurality of layers may prevent the reaction liquid bagfrom being damaged by external shock and wastefully react with theheating element 10.

Sheet members 112 and 142 provided in the outmost surface of the firstsheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140 are comprised of by insulating sheetmembers so as to further minimize heat transfer to a user. As necessary,the insulating sheet member may be applied to not only the outmost sheetmembers 112 and 142 but also the other sheet members 114, 116, 144 and146, and a plurality of insulating sheet members may be used for thefirst sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140. The insulating sheet membermay include polyurethane, polystyrene, calcium silicate or the like.

Like the first sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140, the second sheet 120of the first pack 101 and the third sheet 130 of the second pack 102 mayinclude a plurality of sheet members. For example, the second sheet 120may include two sheet members 122 and 124 and an air-gap 126 formedbetween the plurality of sheet members 122 and 124. Like the secondsheet 120, the third sheet 130 may include two sheet members 132 and 134and an air-gap 136 between the sheet members 132 and 134.

If the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 are each comprised of asingle sheet, the heating element 10, reaction gas generated by reactionbetween the reaction liquid and the heating element 10, or the like mayflow in the content container 160 when a minute pinhole is generated inthe second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130. In order to prevent this,the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 are configured to theplurality of sheet members 122, 124, 132 and 134, respectively.

The air-gaps 126 and 136 serve to protect the content accommodated inthe content container 160 from being damaged or deformed by externalshock. The air-gap 126 is formed by adhering edges of the sheet members122 and 124 to form a space in the middle. This manner is also appliedto the air-gap 136 of the third sheet 130.

The second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 are adhered to each otherat opposite longitudinal end portions. The bottom 150 is adhered to thelower portions of the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130. Thebottom 150 includes a fold 152 to be folded upward or downward in thepouch 100.

The bottom 150 is folded usually, and is pulled and stretched out indirections of the first sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140 and laid downso that the pouch 100 can be stood. When the bottom 150 is folded, thepouch 100 is decreased in volume to be easily kept. When the bottom 150is stretched out, the pouch 100 can be stood to be convenient for a userto eat the content in the pouch 100. Further, if the pouch 100 is stoodduring the exothermic reaction of the heating element 10, a user is freefrom getting burned since the user does not have to hold the pouch 100with the user's hand.

Thus, the content container 160 formed by the second sheet 120, thethird sheet 130 and the bottom 150 is provided inside the pouch 100. Thecontent container 160 may be filled with the content such as food, andthe content such as food is heated by the heating element 10. If food isdirectly filled in the content container 160, the second sheet 120, thethird sheet 130 and the bottom 150 may be made of materials harmless tohumans.

The first pack 101 and the second pack 102 include a reaction liquidpassage 170 through which they communicate with each other. As shown inthe enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3, the reaction liquid passage 170is formed to make the first pack 101 and the second pack 102 communicatewith each other so that the reaction liquid introduced into the firstpack 101 can flow to the second pack 102. Alternatively, the reactionliquid introduced into the second pack 102 may flow to the first pack101. According to the first embodiment, the reaction liquid passage 170is formed by penetrating an adhered portion where the second sheet 120and the third sheet 130 are partially adhered. The adhered portion hasto be penetrated so that the reaction liquid can flow only to the secondpack 102 without leaking to the content container 160.

The reaction liquid passage 160 may be formed higher than the fold whenthe bottom 150 is folded upward. If the reaction liquid passage 160 isplaced below the fold 152, the bottom 150 is not completely stretchedout. The pouch 100 can be stood only when the bottom 150 has to bestretched out as much as a predetermined distance. However, if thereaction liquid passage 170 is placed below the fold 152, i.e. if thesecond sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 are adhered close by the bottom150, this interferes with stretching out the bottom 150. Thus, thereaction liquid passage 160 is preferably formed above the fold 152 soas not to interfere with the bottom 150 that is largely changed inposition.

At least one of the first sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140 may includea reaction liquid inlet 180 through which the reaction liquid can beinjected. If the reaction liquid inlet 180 is formed in the first sheet110, the reaction liquid is injected into the first pack 101. If thereaction liquid inlet 180 is formed in the fourth sheet 140, thereaction liquid is injected into the second pack 102. Then, the injectedreaction liquid moves to the other pack via the reaction liquid passage170. Since the reaction liquid is injected through the reaction liquidinlet 180, the reaction liquid passage 170 is preferably placed belowthe reaction liquid inlet 180 so that the reaction liquid can flow tothe other pack. Alternatively, the reaction liquid inlet 180 may beformed in both the first sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140 so that thereaction liquid can be injected at both sides.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, a vertical pouch 200 according to a secondembodiment of the present invention includes a first pack (not shown), asecond pack (not shown) and a bottom 250 formed between the first andsecond packs. A first sheet 210 and a fourth sheet 240 include aplurality of sheet members 212, 214, 216, 242, 244 and 246, and theoutmost sheet members 212 and 242 may be an insulating sheet member.Further, a reaction liquid inlet 280 is formed in the first sheet 210,the fourth sheet 240 or both the first sheet 210 and the fourth sheet240. Likewise, a second sheet 220 and a third sheet 230 include aplurality of sheet members 222, 224, 232 and 234.

The elements of the second embodiment are similar to those of the firstembodiment. However, the first and second embodiments are different inshape of a reaction liquid passage 270 formed between a second sheet 220and a third sheet 230.

As shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the second sheet 220 and the thirdsheet 230 are grooved in the form of ‘

’, and this portion is differentiated in that only the second sheet 220and the third sheet 230 are adhered to each other. The first sheet 210,the second sheet 220, the third sheet 230 and the fourth sheet 240 areall adhered at end portions in a transverse direction except the portionin the form of ‘U’. But the second sheet 220 is adhered to the thirdsheet 230 and the first sheet 210 is adhered to the fourth sheet 240 atthe portion grooved in the form of ‘

’as shown in FIG. 4 so that the portion formed by the adhesion canfunction as a reaction liquid passage 270 through which the reactionliquid passes. Alternatively, the reaction liquid passage 270 may varyin area, shape and position.

The reaction liquid passage 270 shown in FIG. 5 serves to make thereaction liquid flow from the first pack 201 to the second pack 202 orfrom the second pack 202 to the first pack 201 like that of the firstembodiment. On the contrary to the first embodiment, the reaction liquidpassage 270 is formed in the end portion of the pouch 200 so that thecontent can be filled in the pouch 200 without being interfered with thereaction liquid passage 270. The reaction liquid passage 170 of thefirst embodiment and the reaction liquid passage 270 of the secondembodiment are similar in their function and shape, but different in themanufacturing process.

According to the third embodiment, the pouch 300 includes a first pack301, a second pack 302, and a bottom 350 formed between the first pack301 and the second pack 302, and includes a content container 360 in themiddle. The first sheet 310 and the fourth sheet 340 include a pluralityof sheet members 312, 314, 316, 342, 344 and 346, and the outmost sheetmembers 312 and 342 may be an insulating sheet member. Further, areaction liquid inlet 280 may be formed in the first sheet 310, thefourth sheet 340 or both the first sheet 310 and the fourth sheet 340.

The bottom 350 includes a fold 352 so that the bottom 350 can be foldedupward.

In addition, the second sheet 320 and the third sheet 330 include aplurality of sheet members 322, 324, 332 and 334.

The elements of the third embodiment are similar to those of the secondembodiment, but different in some portions of the first sheet 310 andthe fourth sheet 340.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first sheet 310 and the fourth sheet 340 includethe plurality of sheet members 312, 314, 316, 342, 344 and 346 in orderto minimize heat transferred to a user's body. In particular, theoutmost sheet members 312 and 342 are made of insulating sheet membersto further minimize heat transfer.

In addition, an air-gap 318 is formed in between the outmost sheetmember 312 and the second sheet member 314 of the first sheet 310, sothat the heat transfer can be more minimized than that of when only theplurality of sheet members 312, 314 and 316 constitutes the first sheet310. Alternatively, the air-gap 318 may be formed in between the secondsheet member 314 and the third sheet member 316. Like the first sheet310, an air-gap 348 may be added in between the sheet members 342, 344and 346 of the fourth sheet 340 to minimize heat transferred to a user.

The air-gaps 318 and 348 may use an air cap which is generally used forprotecting a product and in which a plurality of air bubbles arearranged. Besides, the sheet members 312, 314, 316, 342, 344 and 346 ofthe first sheet 310 and the fourth sheet 340 may be adhered in the formof lattice at edges and insides, and air may be injected in the latticesnot adhered between the sheet members 312, 314, 316, 342, 344 and 346.

According to the fourth embodiment, the pouch 400 includes the firstpack 101, the second pack 102, and a bottom 450 adhered to the lowerportions of the first pack 101 and the second pack 102 and forming thecontent container 160.

The first pack 101 includes the first sheet 110 and the second sheet120, and the second pack 102 is formed by adhering only the edges of thethird sheet 130 and the fourth sheet 140.

The heating element 10 is added in between the first pack 101 and thesecond pack 102.

The first sheet 110 and the fourth sheet 140 include the plurality ofsheet members 112, 114, 116, 142, 144 and 146, and the outmost sheets112 and 142 may be an insulating sheet member. Further, the second sheet120 and the third sheet 130 also include the plurality of sheet members122, 124, 132 and 134.

These elements are the same as those of the first embodiment, but thefourth embodiment does not include the reaction liquid inlet 180.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pouch 400 does not include the reaction liquidinlet 180 but instead includes a reaction liquid pack 480 placed in onespace, where the heating element 10 is placed, between the first sheet110 and the second sheet 120 or between the third sheet 130 and thefourth sheet 140.

In the case where heat generation is caused from the outside of thepouch, it may be impossible to get the reaction liquid, i.e. water. Inthis case, the pouch 400 provided with the reaction liquid pack 480 isused so that the pouch 400 can be easily heated.

The reaction liquid pack 480 may be formed to be torn open bypredetermined force from the exterior so that the heating element 10 andthe reaction liquid can meet, or the reaction liquid pack 480 may have atearing member and be torn by the tearing member so that the reactionliquid can flow from the reaction liquid pack 480.

According to the foregoing embodiments, the vertical pouch 100, 200,300, 400 can be vertically laid on a table or the like by stretching outthe folded bottom 150, 250, 350, 450 if it is inconvenient for a user tohold the pouch 100, 200, 300, 400 with one hand and take the content outwith the other hand, thereby allowing him/her to easily take thecontent.

Further, the first sheet 110, 210, 310 and the fourth sheet 140, 240,340 include the plurality of layers so that heat transferred to a user'sbody can be minimized when the exothermic reaction occurs, and theinsulating sheet member included in the plurality of layers include theair-gap 318, 348 so that a user can hold the pouch 100, 200, 300, 400without inconvenience.

In addition, the second sheet 120, 220, 320 and the third sheet 130,230, 330 include the plurality of layers so that the heating element 10,the reaction liquid or reaction gas caused by the reaction between themcannot be introduced into the content container 160.

Furthermore, if the heating elements 10 are separately provided at bothsides of the pouch 100, 200, 300, 400, to the reaction liquid has to beconventionally put into both sides. However, the pouch 100, 200, 300,400 according to the present invention includes the reaction liquidpassage 170, 270 so that the reaction liquid injected into one of thetwo sides can be enough to make all the heating elements 10 generateheat. Accordingly, it is convenient for a user.

1. A vertical pouch comprising: a heating element to react with areaction liquid and cause an exothermic reaction; a first packconfigured to form a space for containing the heating element between afirst sheet and a second sheet; a second pack configured to form a spacefor containing the heating element between a third sheet and a fourthsheet; a content container comprising the second sheet of the firstpack, the third sheet of the second pack, and a bottom connecting lowerportions of the second and third sheets and folded upward and downward;and a reaction liquid passage configured to make the first packcommunicate with the second pack.
 2. The vertical pouch according toclaim 1, wherein the reaction liquid passage is formed by penetrating anadhered portion where the second sheet and the third sheet are adhered.3. The vertical pouch according to claim 1, wherein the reaction liquidpassage is formed by bending and adhering edge portions of the secondand third sheets from edges of the first and fourth sheets.
 4. Thevertical pouch according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein thereaction liquid passage is formed higher than a fold when the bottom isfolded upward.
 5. The vertical pouch according to claim 1, wherein thefirst sheet, the second sheet, the third sheet and the fourth sheetcomprise a plurality of sheet members.
 6. The vertical pouch accordingto claim 5, further comprising an air-gap between the sheet members. 7.The vertical pouch according to claim 5, wherein at least one of thesheet members comprises an insulating sheet member.
 8. The verticalpouch according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet andthe fourth sheet further comprises a reaction liquid inlet through whicha reaction liquid can be injected.
 9. The vertical pouch according toclaim 1, wherein the first pack and the second pack further comprise areaction liquid pack to accommodate a reaction liquid.